Applications open for Clean Air Zone exemption permits

The exemption permits will be available to residents, low income workers and businesses in the Clean Air Zone for a period of one to two years. All of these exemption permits are subject to eligibility criteria, including the ownership of a vehicle that does not meet the emission standards for the Clean Air Zone, and only available on application through brumbreathes.co.uk.

The exemption permits available are:

• Residents living within the Clean Air Zone who own a vehicle that does not meet the emission standards for the Clean Air Zone.
  • EXEMPTION PERIOD: Two years from the date of launch for the Clean Air Zone
• Low income workers (earning less than £30,000 per annum) whose registered place of work is in the Clean Air Zone.
  • EXEMPTION PERIOD: One year from the date of launch for the Clean Air Zone
• Commercial vehicles registered within the Clean Air Zone (maximum of two vehicles) can apply for a year of exemption as well as Commercial vehicles with existing finance agreement beyond commencement of the Clean Air Zone and registered within the zone.
• Community and school transport vans and minibuses will be able to apply for an ongoing exemption if they are registered as Section 19 or Section 22 for operation in Birmingham and not registered as a Hackney Carriage or Private Hire Vehicle.

Councillor Waseem Zaffar MBE, Birmingham City Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment, said: “The Clean Air Zone is a huge step towards a cleaner and safer future for Birmingham residents.

“Air pollution in the UK is now at dangerous levels and contributes to health impacts on people suffering long term respiratory conditions. As I have stated before, doing nothing is not an option.

“We are conscious of the impact the zone could have on key groups of people so the range of exemptions and financial support will help individuals, businesses and other organisations to make the change to a clean air Birmingham.”

Further information on the zone, charges, as well as full details of the exemption permits and how to apply for them, can be found on the dedicated website.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

Birmingham’s Clean Air Zone will cover all roads within the A4540 Middleway Ring Road (but not the Middleway itself) as part of the Council’s plan to tackle air pollution across the city.

Vehicles that do not meet the emission standards for the Clean Air Zone will be required to pay the daily charge. For Cars, Taxis (Hackney Carriages & Private Hire), LGVs and Minibuses it is £8 per day and for HGVs, coaches, buses it is £50 per day.

Vehicle owners are now able to use the Government’s Vehicle Checker tool to confirm whether or not they will need to pay the daily charge  in Birmingham, Leeds and the other Clean Air Zones due to be introduced across England over the next few years.